Surrogacy in Utah: A Comprehensive Guide

Surrogacy is a vital option for people who are unable to carry a pregnancy to term themselves. Utah has unique surrogacy laws, which provide strong regulatory protections for both intended parents and surrogates. We cover the surrogacy timeline, laws, and costs in Utah to give intended parents and surrogates an idea of what to expect in the state.

In Utah, the surrogacy process begins when the intended parents choose a surrogate to carry their baby. This process includes several stages — legal, medical, and emotional — that work to assure the health of both the surrogate and intended parents. The following stages are usually how the process works in Utah:

• Finding a Surrogate: Intended parents must select a surrogate who meets the state’s requirements. This can be done through a surrogacy agency or independently.
• Medical Screening: It is essential for the surrogate to undergo comprehensive medical tests to confirm she can physically support a pregnancy to term.
• Sign contracts: They sign contracts to legalize their rights, responsibilities, and expectations. This includes the intended parents’ rights to the child and the rights and compensation of the surrogate.
• Embryo transfer: For IVF (in vitro fertilization), embryos are created from the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors and transferred into the womb of the surrogate.
• Pregnancy and Birth: The surrogate carries the pregnancy to term, with the child being legally transferred to the intended parents upon birth.

The state’s surrogacy laws are intended to help ensure that the process is safe, ethical, and clearly defined for both intended parents and surrogates. Here are some important aspects of Utah surrogacy law:

• Pre-birth Orders: Utah is one of the states where pre-birth orders are possible. This enables intended parents to confirm legal parentage of the child prior to the birth. After giving birth, the intended parents will be listed as the legal parents on the birth certificate. For details, see https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title78B/Chapter15/78B-15-S801.html
• Contracts are Enforceable: Surrogacy contracts in Utah are enforceable, and both Intended Parents and Surrogates are obligated to follow the provisions in the contract.
• Compensation for Surrogates: Utah law allows compensated surrogacy, but any such compensation must be agreed to and expressly outlined in the legal contracts.
• LGBTQ+ & Single Parent: Utah allows for surrogacy for single parents, couples, and same-sex couples. This makes it a more inclusive state for various family-building options.

For a more in-depth look at surrogacy laws in the state of Utah, go to https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title78B/Chapter15/78B-15.html

If you are interested in surrogacy and are thinking about pursuing it in Utah, you are not alone. Many people are choosing this option, and the legal framework in the state protects their rights, making the process efficient as well. If you are an intended parent in Utah, you can expect:

• Legal Safeguards: Intended parents are granted orders of parentage before the child is born.
• Well-defined Process and Agencies: Utah has reputable surrogacy agencies that offer complete services, including matching surrogate mothers with intended parents, managing medical logistics, and legal processes.

Surrogacy in Utah may vary in price and can depend on the surrogacy agency, medical costs, and surrogate compensation. Intended parents pay on average $90,000–$150,000 for a surrogacy journey. This includes:

• Agency Fees: $15,000–$30,000
• Surrogate Pay: $35,000–$50,000
• Medical Expenses: $25,000–$35,000
• Legal Fees: $10,000–$15,000

These expenses include the surrogate’s medical care, IVF, legal contracts, insurance, and other costs.

The success of surrogacy greatly depends on finding the right surrogate in Utah. Intended parents can choose between working with an agency or finding an independent surrogate. Agencies streamline the process by ensuring the surrogate undergoes medical and psychological screening, as well as legal vetting. Independent surrogacy requires more coordination, but many intended parents prefer it because of the potential for cost savings.

The state of Utah offers exciting options for women who want to be surrogates. Surrogacy in Utah can be a great and rewarding experience, but it requires commitment, time, and effort.

Women who want to become surrogates in Utah must meet certain health, legal, and psychological standards. The requirements include:

• Age: Surrogates must be between the ages of 21 and 40.
• Health: Surrogates should be in good physical and mental health, have had at least one successful pregnancy, and have had no complications during previous pregnancies.
• Financial Stability: Surrogates must be financially stable and should not rely on surrogacy as their primary source of income.

Psychological Evaluation: A psychological evaluation is required to ensure that the surrogate is emotionally ready for the process.

Some benefits of being a surrogate in Utah include:

• Compensation: Depending on certain conditions, surrogates can receive compensation in the range of $35,000 to $50,000.
• Medical Coverage: Surrogates’ medical expenses are typically covered by the intended parents' insurance or a separate surrogacy insurance policy.
• Personal Satisfaction: Many surrogates find great personal satisfaction in helping others build families. It is purpose-driven work that provides a strong sense of fulfillment.

In Utah, surrogate compensation depends on various factors, including whether the surrogate is carrying the child through traditional surrogacy (using her own egg) or gestational surrogacy (using the egg of the intended mother or a donor). Generally, surrogates earn between $35,000 and $50,000. Additionally, they may receive extra compensation for:

• Multiple births: If a surrogate carries twins or more, she may receive additional compensation.
• Maternity clothing and lost wages: Surrogates can be reimbursed for maternity clothes, lost wages, and other pregnancy-related expenses.
• Other expenses: Compensation may also cover travel, legal fees, and other costs associated with the surrogacy process.

For surrogates, the process follows a similar structure to that of intended parents but with a focus on their health, legal rights, and emotional well-being. The journey begins with comprehensive medical and psychological screenings. Once a surrogate is selected, she signs a legal contract outlining compensation, rights, and responsibilities. Afterward, she undergoes fertility treatments, including embryo transfer, and carries the pregnancy to term.

Women interested in becoming surrogates can either work with a surrogacy agency or match independently with intended parents. After being approved, they complete medical evaluations, receive legal counseling, and sign a contract before starting the process.